Bicentennial School Song

My Home Will Always Be in Tennessee

words by Terre Campbella-McCormick and Margaret Campbelle duGard and music by Shirley McRae

From the mountains come the secrets that the winds take down below
Then the Elders whisper stories that we share from long ago.
Strains of music gather us to a place where we can grow.
And the people share a common ground that now we all call Home.
If we soar over the ocean, if we walk far as the sea
If we travel the Whole world over, these stories will be of Tennessee.
Let this song be the hopes of who we are and who we'll be
Let our singing set a place in time to share our memories
Paint our portrait, trace our triumphs and remember the trail of our tears.
Let our voice weave dreams sustaining us to guide us through the years.
If I soar over the ocean, if I walk far as the sea
If I travel the whole world over, my dreams will always be of Tennessee.
Listen well and share the laughter for it tells us who we are
Day to day look to the mountains, ride the wind up to the stars
Feel the glow of those who journey; seek the music that flows through us all
Now we give it back to the people
Listen well and heed the call.
If you soar over the ocean, if you walk far as the sea
If you travel the whole world over, your home will always be in Tennessee.
If we soar over the ocean, if we walk far as the sea
If we travel the whole world over, our home will always be in Tennessee ..... in Tennessee.

Adoption of Bicentennial School Song

Sponsored by the Tennessee Music Education Association, "My Home Will Always Be in Tennessee" was
performed at their 50th annual convention. The words to the song were written by sisters, Teree
Campbelle-McCormick, a teacher at W.O. Smith Community Music School, and Margaret Campbell-duGard, a composer
and music educator at Nashville’s Park Avenue Elementary School. The music was composed by Shirley McRae, a
University of Memphis music professor. 250 students from seven Nashville schools sang the song at the
convention and were rewarded with great applause.

The song became so popular that students from Vista/Jones Paideia Magnet School petetioned the
General Assembly to declare "My Home will Always Be in Tennessee" the official bicentennial school song.

The Middle Tennessee Children’s Choir performed "My Home Will Always Be In Tennessee" as part of
Tennessee’s Bicentennial Celebration on June 1, 1996.

The song, "My Home Will Always Be in Tennessee" by Shirley McRae, Teree Campbelle-McCormick and
Margaret Campbelle-duGard was adopted by the General Assembly as Tennessee's official bicentennial school
song on June 1, 1996. It was adopted by House Joint Resolution 5002. The legislation was signed by the
Governor on June 17, 1996.